Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2024–Mar 4th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Continue to choose low-angle and supported terrain features.

Watch for strong sunshine, even brief periods can rapidly increase avalanche danger and produce natural avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations are currently limited and conditions appear to be improving, however we expect rider triggering is still likely.

A rider triggered avalanche was reported on the MIN on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals of up to 90 cm are beginning to settle, with wind effect in exposed, high terrain. This sits over wind-affected surfaces and 30 to 60 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas. In some areas, sunshine has created heavy snow or a surface crust.

Multiple weak layers exist in the mid-snowpack. The first, a layer of a crust, facets and/or surface hoar is buried around 100 cm deep. The second, a widespread crust with facets above is buried around 130 cm deep. These layers will need time to adjust to the new snow load.

This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers, and will take time to begin to settle and bond.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 20-40 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20-30 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level around 700 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny with some cloud. 30-50 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing levels around 500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny with some cloud. 10-20 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level around 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.